0:00:02 > 0:00:05Across the country, empty properties that could be homes are just
0:00:05 > 0:00:07waiting to be brought back into use.
0:00:09 > 0:00:10I'll be finding out why,
0:00:10 > 0:00:14and what you need to do to rescue a house for yourself.
0:00:14 > 0:00:17And along the way, I'll be doing some digging of my own, to find out
0:00:17 > 0:00:21more about our housing stock, our heritage, and why we should be
0:00:21 > 0:00:24both reinventing and preserving Britain's empty homes.
0:00:30 > 0:00:33Taking on an empty home can seem like a real risk
0:00:33 > 0:00:36and, of course, there are many pitfalls to look out for.
0:00:36 > 0:00:39But for people with vision, energy and ambition,
0:00:39 > 0:00:43the potential of abandoned buildings is enormous.
0:00:43 > 0:00:46On today's show, two generations of a family who've taken
0:00:46 > 0:00:50a leap of faith jointly restoring an empty Methodist chapel.
0:00:50 > 0:00:54I just thought, what are we going to do with this space? Wow!
0:00:54 > 0:00:56It's massive.
0:00:56 > 0:00:59A military jail which will no longer be confined to rack and ruin.
0:00:59 > 0:01:03This is one of the cells, they are certainly not big, are they? No, no.
0:01:03 > 0:01:05And we'll be following an empty property officer,
0:01:05 > 0:01:08as he aims to rescue an abandoned and unloved home.
0:01:08 > 0:01:14Just so sad to see all their possessions just turned upside down.
0:01:15 > 0:01:202011, Commandant Roy Zaman MBE and his wife, Sue, relocated from
0:01:20 > 0:01:22Lancashire to Wiltshire
0:01:22 > 0:01:25and were on the lookout for a renovation project.
0:01:25 > 0:01:30The idea of creating our own unique home was appealing.
0:01:30 > 0:01:32It was as if the stars aligned
0:01:32 > 0:01:37when Roy got a tipoff about an auction of a rather divine property.
0:01:37 > 0:01:40They called me one day and said, "We've got a chapel.
0:01:40 > 0:01:42"It might just be what you're looking for."
0:01:42 > 0:01:46I came and had a look at it and went, "Wow, this is big!
0:01:46 > 0:01:48"It's too big for me."
0:01:48 > 0:01:53And that's when I asked Paul and Laura to come and have a look at it.
0:01:53 > 0:01:56And, yeah, they fell in love with it as well.
0:01:56 > 0:02:00The plan was for Roy's son, Army aircraft engineer Paul Zaman,
0:02:00 > 0:02:03and his wife, Laura, to join forces with dad, Roy,
0:02:03 > 0:02:08building two separate homes and eventually living as next-door neighbours.
0:02:08 > 0:02:09I could see it straight away.
0:02:09 > 0:02:13It had potential to be a fantastic building,
0:02:13 > 0:02:15and two fantastic properties.
0:02:15 > 0:02:19I stop multi-million pound military aircraft falling out of the sky.
0:02:19 > 0:02:22How hard can it be to design and build a house?
0:02:22 > 0:02:24For the young couple it was the chance
0:02:24 > 0:02:28to rise up the property ladder in one almighty move.
0:02:28 > 0:02:30We've got a £100,000 budget.
0:02:30 > 0:02:34We'd never be able... We could buy a one-bedroom flat, if that.
0:02:34 > 0:02:39So to be able to have a four-bedroom, two en suites, a bathroom,
0:02:39 > 0:02:41an island in the kitchen...
0:02:41 > 0:02:46We're almost halfway up the ladder from our first step.
0:02:46 > 0:02:49But the family know it will take money, not miracles,
0:02:49 > 0:02:52to transform this chapel into two comfortable homes.
0:02:52 > 0:02:59Our budget to renovate our side of the property is £100,000,
0:02:59 > 0:03:02with a contingency of £20,000.
0:03:02 > 0:03:05Some people might say that's unrealistic,
0:03:05 > 0:03:11but we're going to do the vast majority of the labour ourselves.
0:03:11 > 0:03:14We believe that we can actually achieve that.
0:03:14 > 0:03:16That's our dream, anyway.
0:03:16 > 0:03:19So, all going well, in a year they should be happy neighbours.
0:03:19 > 0:03:23That's if the demands of renovation haven't caused any family feuds.
0:03:23 > 0:03:25We don't row at all.
0:03:25 > 0:03:29We just disagree on, should we use levers and moments
0:03:29 > 0:03:32or should we use brute force and ignorance?
0:03:32 > 0:03:34HE LAUGHS
0:03:34 > 0:03:39Is the usual row, really. The usual falling out. Yeah.
0:03:39 > 0:03:42With a joint renovation budget of £200,000,
0:03:42 > 0:03:44the finances are set in stone.
0:03:44 > 0:03:48But in terms of schedule, are the family living on a wing and a prayer?
0:03:48 > 0:03:52The timescale from where we are currently to completion,
0:03:52 > 0:03:54well, there's a question.
0:03:54 > 0:03:57Twice as long as half the time it'll take
0:03:57 > 0:03:59is about the best answer I can give you.
0:03:59 > 0:04:00ALL LAUGH
0:04:02 > 0:04:05I'm keen to see this space for myself.
0:04:05 > 0:04:07How are you all? Good.
0:04:07 > 0:04:08You're standing here very proudly.
0:04:08 > 0:04:12This is now your pile of bricks, I understand. It is indeed.
0:04:12 > 0:04:14How exciting! How mad.
0:04:14 > 0:04:17How mad. And all four of you are taking this on.
0:04:17 > 0:04:19Yes. And all four of you are going to live here? Yes.
0:04:19 > 0:04:21I think this is a first on the programme.
0:04:21 > 0:04:23ALL LAUGH
0:04:23 > 0:04:26We don't know how long we'll live next to each other!
0:04:26 > 0:04:29It's a very bold and ambitious plan, but I'm excited by it.
0:04:29 > 0:04:33Can we go inside and have a look? Absolutely. Excellent, lead the way.
0:04:33 > 0:04:34Go on, Laura.
0:04:39 > 0:04:41This is an absolutely amazing space.
0:04:41 > 0:04:45Clearly you've started work on it already, but start at the beginning.
0:04:45 > 0:04:47How did you find it, how did all of this come about?
0:04:47 > 0:04:52I got a phone call to say we're now proud owners of a chapel.
0:04:52 > 0:04:57Which chapel? I had no idea that he'd even looked at this.
0:04:57 > 0:04:59What's he done? Shall I kill him now?!
0:04:59 > 0:05:02You're going to create two homes out of this, that's the point.
0:05:02 > 0:05:04What's the layout, where are you going with this?
0:05:04 > 0:05:07This side, because it's got a huge roof,
0:05:07 > 0:05:10enables me to create two upper floors instead of one.
0:05:10 > 0:05:11Two upper floors?
0:05:11 > 0:05:13So you've got ground, first and second.
0:05:13 > 0:05:16Yes, this is going to be totally open-plan ground floor. Right.
0:05:16 > 0:05:19With open-plan kitchen and utility room,
0:05:19 > 0:05:21with a nice, long upper gallery.
0:05:21 > 0:05:23Full height to the upper floors,
0:05:23 > 0:05:26so we get to see some of these massive beams up there.
0:05:26 > 0:05:29These steels, that's where the ceiling is going to be, is it? Yes.
0:05:29 > 0:05:32So it's going to be a really high ceiling down here.
0:05:32 > 0:05:33And then the two upper floors
0:05:33 > 0:05:37are going to be two en-suite bedrooms on the first floor.
0:05:37 > 0:05:41Then right up there in the roof space we're going to have
0:05:41 > 0:05:45two guest bedrooms with a Jack and Jill bathroom.
0:05:45 > 0:05:47So huge project, let's talk about experience.
0:05:47 > 0:05:50You guys, am I right in thinking this is your first property?
0:05:50 > 0:05:52We hit the ground running with this one.
0:05:52 > 0:05:54It's exciting, isn't it? I love learning.
0:05:54 > 0:05:57We've googled stuff to try and find out things,
0:05:57 > 0:05:59been using sledgehammers and smashing up stuff.
0:05:59 > 0:06:02It's been brilliant fun. A real learning curve, isn't it?
0:06:02 > 0:06:04So this is about keeping costs down
0:06:04 > 0:06:06and doing as much as you can yourselves.
0:06:06 > 0:06:09I have to ask, you're very happy all living together, are you?
0:06:09 > 0:06:12Once this is done, I see we will live independent lives.
0:06:12 > 0:06:15There's no cat flap next door.
0:06:15 > 0:06:18There's no connecting door into their home.
0:06:18 > 0:06:21We'll live our independent lives as we always have done.
0:06:21 > 0:06:23This is an incredible space, I'm very excited for you.
0:06:23 > 0:06:25Now let's go through and see the other half,
0:06:25 > 0:06:26which is going to be your home.
0:06:28 > 0:06:32It's a lot bigger than I thought. From outside, it looked a lot smaller.
0:06:32 > 0:06:35Quite a similar space, but not quite as high, is that right?
0:06:35 > 0:06:37That's right. Again, you've got the steels in,
0:06:37 > 0:06:40but this time, you're not going to have two floors above you,
0:06:40 > 0:06:43you're just going to have one, so you are splitting it in two.
0:06:43 > 0:06:45We'll have a three-quarter mezzanine. OK.
0:06:45 > 0:06:48So we're not blocking off the windows. I see.
0:06:48 > 0:06:49Yes, tell me about that, then.
0:06:49 > 0:06:53This will be the lounge and the windows will be uninterrupted...
0:06:53 > 0:06:54Correct. Light pouring in.
0:06:54 > 0:06:57We purposely designed it to pull the floor away
0:06:57 > 0:07:00from as many windows as we could. And what about the light?
0:07:00 > 0:07:03It feels a bit darker in here than it does in your mum and dad's place.
0:07:03 > 0:07:06Are you going to put some more in the roof?
0:07:06 > 0:07:10We're having 15 window lights in the roof. 15? Yes.
0:07:10 > 0:07:13So the door we just walked through will be sealed up? Yes.
0:07:13 > 0:07:16As soon as physically possible.
0:07:16 > 0:07:18THEY LAUGH
0:07:18 > 0:07:20No interference between the two families. No.
0:07:20 > 0:07:22How many bedrooms upstairs? Four.
0:07:22 > 0:07:23Four? Yes.
0:07:23 > 0:07:25And a bathroom upstairs.
0:07:25 > 0:07:28Two en suites and a bathroom. Gosh. We've shoehorned them in.
0:07:28 > 0:07:30Managed to get them in there, yeah.
0:07:30 > 0:07:32When do you hope you can have
0:07:32 > 0:07:34a couple of lovely homes here in this chapel?
0:07:34 > 0:07:36Originally... SHE LAUGHS
0:07:36 > 0:07:38..it was Christmas. Yeah.
0:07:38 > 0:07:41The best thing is we don't have a property that we have to sell.
0:07:41 > 0:07:43We're not living in a caravan.
0:07:43 > 0:07:46We're in service family accommodation.
0:07:46 > 0:07:47That's a really good way of doing it,
0:07:47 > 0:07:49so you're sorted for accommodation
0:07:49 > 0:07:51and you're also living where you work, is that right?
0:07:51 > 0:07:52That's correct.
0:07:52 > 0:07:54That's a really healthy situation to be in.
0:07:54 > 0:07:57We were never going to be living in a caravan. Really?
0:07:57 > 0:07:59Sue wouldn't entertain it. I would, but Sue wouldn't.
0:07:59 > 0:08:01I don't do caravans or camping.
0:08:01 > 0:08:03So you didn't get the phone call saying,
0:08:03 > 0:08:05"I've just bought a caravan?"
0:08:05 > 0:08:07No, no. No way.
0:08:07 > 0:08:09I'm a five-star lady. Good!
0:08:11 > 0:08:14This is a truly awe-inspiring space.
0:08:14 > 0:08:18I have real faith in this family's ability to succeed here.
0:08:19 > 0:08:25So, I have to say I hugely admire the energy and enthusiasm.
0:08:25 > 0:08:29When that simmers away some evenings and things aren't going so well,
0:08:29 > 0:08:32what are your main concerns here?
0:08:32 > 0:08:34What are the things that just slightly worry you
0:08:34 > 0:08:35about this project?
0:08:37 > 0:08:40Are we going to run out of energy?
0:08:40 > 0:08:43That's... I'm no spring chicken.
0:08:43 > 0:08:48Luckily I've got two fit, young youngsters on hand
0:08:48 > 0:08:51but that's my biggest concern, are we going to run out of steam?
0:08:51 > 0:08:54Is the enthusiasm going to wane?
0:08:54 > 0:08:56There's always the unforeseen.
0:08:56 > 0:09:01In the military they teach us to expect the unexpected.
0:09:01 > 0:09:03We know how to do that.
0:09:03 > 0:09:08On this, it's all unexpected because we're not builders. Yeah.
0:09:08 > 0:09:10We're learning as we go along.
0:09:10 > 0:09:13It will be really good for you to meet a couple who've been through this.
0:09:13 > 0:09:16They can tell you what it's like, whether you end up burning out,
0:09:16 > 0:09:18how much you should be taking on yourself, how to work as a team.
0:09:18 > 0:09:21But also, the building they've got is very similar to yours.
0:09:21 > 0:09:24I think there's a lot of inspiration you can take from it,
0:09:24 > 0:09:27and they should have some good, old-fashioned advice. Sounds good?
0:09:27 > 0:09:29Fantastic. Excellent.
0:09:29 > 0:09:32Not every empty building is lucky enough
0:09:32 > 0:09:36to attract enthusiastic buyers with such vision.
0:09:36 > 0:09:39Across Britain, empty property officers are working tirelessly
0:09:39 > 0:09:43to combat the problems associated with derelict buildings.
0:09:43 > 0:09:48Dave Carter is one of Enfield's top empty property officers.
0:09:48 > 0:09:49In his 12 years on the job,
0:09:49 > 0:09:54Dave has personally brought over 600 abandoned abodes back to use.
0:09:54 > 0:09:59In Enfield, it's believed there are over 3,000 empty properties,
0:09:59 > 0:10:03of which about 500 are a real problem.
0:10:03 > 0:10:05It's my job, as an empty property officer,
0:10:05 > 0:10:08to try and reduce those numbers to an absolute bare minimum
0:10:08 > 0:10:11and get families living in these as soon as possible.
0:10:12 > 0:10:16Dave's inspecting a 1930s end of terrace house
0:10:16 > 0:10:19that's been attracting a lot of unwanted attention.
0:10:19 > 0:10:22Today I'm going to be visiting the house, just to check
0:10:22 > 0:10:26whether there are any obvious signs of the property being squatted.
0:10:26 > 0:10:28I'll also be looking to see
0:10:28 > 0:10:30if there are any signs of antisocial behaviour,
0:10:30 > 0:10:33so it will be very interesting to see exactly what I do come across.
0:10:33 > 0:10:36When entering an abandoned building for the first time,
0:10:36 > 0:10:40Dave has no idea what or who he may find.
0:10:40 > 0:10:43I'm a little bit nervous, always a little bit of trepidation
0:10:43 > 0:10:45when you approach a property for the first time,
0:10:45 > 0:10:48when you think it might be squatted.
0:10:48 > 0:10:51There have been times in the past when I've even been chased down the
0:10:51 > 0:10:55stairs by squatters with a baseball bat, wondering what I was up to.
0:10:55 > 0:10:58Before stepping inside, he has to do his best to assess
0:10:58 > 0:11:02the situation based on what he can see from the exterior.
0:11:02 > 0:11:05There's things scattered all over the floor.
0:11:05 > 0:11:08Just a little bit tired and neglected.
0:11:08 > 0:11:10He then checks for signs of a break-in
0:11:10 > 0:11:12round the back of the building.
0:11:12 > 0:11:15You can see straight away the broken window.
0:11:15 > 0:11:17The door's open.
0:11:22 > 0:11:26See the bin, overgrown garden. Be careful where I tread, actually.
0:11:26 > 0:11:28This place is clearly in a real state
0:11:28 > 0:11:31and will need some major work to make it habitable.
0:11:31 > 0:11:36Just so sad to see all their possessions just turned upside down.
0:11:36 > 0:11:40More evidence of just general clutter.
0:11:40 > 0:11:44Downstairs is squatter-free, but upstairs has to be checked as well.
0:11:44 > 0:11:45Hello?
0:11:48 > 0:11:50Hello?
0:11:50 > 0:11:52HE KNOCKS AT DOOR
0:11:52 > 0:11:53Nobody there.
0:11:53 > 0:11:56Hello?
0:11:56 > 0:11:58Right.
0:11:58 > 0:12:01So, yeah, obviously whoever's been in here has just gone through
0:12:01 > 0:12:04the whole of this room.
0:12:04 > 0:12:07There's even a photo, presumably...
0:12:08 > 0:12:12"For my Sweetheart."
0:12:12 > 0:12:14A wartime photo.
0:12:14 > 0:12:16Presumably that was the owner.
0:12:16 > 0:12:18That would have meant a lot to him at the time
0:12:18 > 0:12:21and now it's just discarded on the floor.
0:12:21 > 0:12:24Squatters have clearly been inside, but to find out how recently,
0:12:24 > 0:12:27he heads over to one of the neighbours for a chat.
0:12:27 > 0:12:28KNOCKS ON DOOR
0:12:30 > 0:12:34So you've been having problems once again with the squatters, have you?
0:12:34 > 0:12:38Yeah, they're in and out. You think the property is definitely squatted?
0:12:38 > 0:12:43Yes. We've seen them going in and out, up to about 20 of them. No! 20?
0:12:43 > 0:12:47Yeah, in and out of there. It's really becoming a bit...
0:12:47 > 0:12:50unsociable around here. Yes.
0:12:50 > 0:12:53You hear them hanging around here at night-time as well outside.
0:12:53 > 0:12:57It's frustrating because I've got grandkids... Just hanging around?
0:12:57 > 0:12:59Yes. Hanging around the front of your house.
0:12:59 > 0:13:02Even in the daytime, you have some of them
0:13:02 > 0:13:03hanging around on the corner there.
0:13:03 > 0:13:06I don't feel comfortable coming out to try and say anything. No.
0:13:06 > 0:13:08To say anything to them.
0:13:08 > 0:13:11It's a bit unnerving when it's right on your doorstep.
0:13:11 > 0:13:13I'll see what I can do to help. I appreciate that.
0:13:13 > 0:13:15I'll try and get it sorted out. OK.
0:13:15 > 0:13:17Thank you. Bye-bye.
0:13:20 > 0:13:23I've had a good look round the property, it is in a mess.
0:13:23 > 0:13:25I need to get it sorted as soon as possible.
0:13:25 > 0:13:28The good news is that the squatters aren't there at the minute.
0:13:28 > 0:13:33The bad news is that they are in the vicinity, likely to come back.
0:13:33 > 0:13:37So I need to get my report in, get the photos as evidence, so the
0:13:37 > 0:13:41environmental health can get the house boarded up as soon as possible.
0:13:41 > 0:13:43If you're in the market for an empty property,
0:13:43 > 0:13:45there are many ways to pick one up.
0:13:45 > 0:13:48Talk with local estate agents and auctioneers.
0:13:48 > 0:13:50Ask around your family and friends.
0:13:50 > 0:13:55Or get in touch with your local council's empty property officer.
0:13:55 > 0:13:57Empty buildings come in all shapes and sizes,
0:13:57 > 0:14:01and developers need to get creative with the unusual properties
0:14:01 > 0:14:02becoming available to them.
0:14:02 > 0:14:06One such example is decommissioned Army barracks.
0:14:06 > 0:14:08You may not expect to find a military barracks
0:14:08 > 0:14:10right in the centre of a town or city,
0:14:10 > 0:14:13but historically that's exactly where they were,
0:14:13 > 0:14:15to protect the citizens from attack.
0:14:15 > 0:14:17I've come to Winchester to find out how the creative use
0:14:17 > 0:14:21of a military site has helped provide homes for local families.
0:14:21 > 0:14:23Now a stunning development,
0:14:23 > 0:14:25historically, the Peninsula Army Barracks
0:14:25 > 0:14:28have always been a military site, stretching as far back
0:14:28 > 0:14:31as the Romans, and more recently rebuilt by the Victorians.
0:14:31 > 0:14:35But 20 years ago, it was finally decommissioned by the MoD
0:14:35 > 0:14:37and was on the verge of demolition.
0:14:37 > 0:14:41Local architect Hugh Thomas was instrumental in saving
0:14:41 > 0:14:44this extraordinary sight and creating these fantastic homes.
0:14:44 > 0:14:48What was going to happen to these buildings, what was the future?
0:14:48 > 0:14:51One idea was to turn this into a car park.
0:14:51 > 0:14:54But the worst thing was that planning permission was given to knock
0:14:54 > 0:14:55the whole lot down, most of it down.
0:14:55 > 0:14:59So I started a campaign with Save Britain's Heritage
0:14:59 > 0:15:01to try and stop this. It took us a whole year.
0:15:01 > 0:15:05How many homes have you made out of these buildings, over 100?
0:15:05 > 0:15:08Yes, about 135, something like that.
0:15:08 > 0:15:11And there's one final piece of the jigsaw, isn't there? There is.
0:15:11 > 0:15:15Amazingly, after all these years, since 1998, there is a big chunk
0:15:15 > 0:15:19of the bottom of the barracks that never was actually built out.
0:15:19 > 0:15:23I've recently got planning permission to finish it off, finish the story.
0:15:23 > 0:15:26How does this feel, after all these years working on the site?
0:15:26 > 0:15:29Brilliant. I still pinch myself I got away with the whole thing!
0:15:29 > 0:15:31THEY LAUGH
0:15:31 > 0:15:34The less glamorous section of the barracks is the military jail,
0:15:34 > 0:15:38which was on the verge of total ruin and in need of rescuing.
0:15:38 > 0:15:40Peter Goldring is the man responsible
0:15:40 > 0:15:42for these jailhouse buildings.
0:15:42 > 0:15:44Peter, I'm Joe, nice to meet you. Nice to meet you too.
0:15:44 > 0:15:46You're the proud owner, are you? Indeed. Great.
0:15:46 > 0:15:48Can we have a look inside? Certainly, follow me.
0:15:48 > 0:15:52For years, Peter and Hugh couldn't agree on what to do with the jail.
0:15:52 > 0:15:54But in a last bid to save it,
0:15:54 > 0:15:57they came together to unlock the potential of this site.
0:15:57 > 0:16:00These are cells, this is an old military jail. Indeed.
0:16:00 > 0:16:03It looks in a pretty run-down state now.
0:16:03 > 0:16:05Can we just poke our heads through
0:16:05 > 0:16:06and have a look at some of the old cells?
0:16:06 > 0:16:09You're very welcome. Just over here? Sure.
0:16:09 > 0:16:11I'm eager to get a closer look.
0:16:11 > 0:16:15And thankfully, these days there's no chance of getting locked in.
0:16:15 > 0:16:18This is one of the cells. They're certainly not big, are they? No, no.
0:16:18 > 0:16:22Just enough room for a bed. You don't get comfort in the Army. No.
0:16:22 > 0:16:23And these windows are original.
0:16:23 > 0:16:26That's probably all the light you'd have in a cell here.
0:16:26 > 0:16:28This wouldn't be the door, no. This wouldn't be a door,
0:16:28 > 0:16:30and the next one wouldn't have been a door either, no.
0:16:30 > 0:16:33It seems a big ask to make small cells into very nice homes,
0:16:33 > 0:16:34but let's have a look at your plans
0:16:34 > 0:16:37and see what you've got in store for people.
0:16:37 > 0:16:38OK.
0:16:38 > 0:16:40These two are clearly taking no prisoners
0:16:40 > 0:16:43when it comes to creating these new properties.
0:16:43 > 0:16:46Hugh, this mountain of paper are your plans for the site.
0:16:46 > 0:16:49Talk me through how you're going to transform this, what's the idea?
0:16:49 > 0:16:51In total there'll be five dwellings on the site.
0:16:51 > 0:16:54Three will be three bedrooms and two will be four. It'll be gorgeous.
0:16:54 > 0:16:57So, just to get my head around it, the cell we were just looking in,
0:16:57 > 0:17:01that's actually going to be part of a sitting room... It is now, yes.
0:17:01 > 0:17:03..for the big house on the end, that's going to be four bedrooms.
0:17:03 > 0:17:07Then here, you're going to tack onto the end of this building to make a three-bedroom house. Yes.
0:17:07 > 0:17:10Another one is going to come around here, there'll be an arch,
0:17:10 > 0:17:13but you'll have another three-bedroom here. That's right.
0:17:13 > 0:17:16And this is all going to be a courtyard in the middle here. Yes, a courtyard.
0:17:16 > 0:17:18It's a great use of this space, isn't it?
0:17:18 > 0:17:22It's exactly what we should be doing here. It's a very, very... It's not an overuse.
0:17:22 > 0:17:25It's an absolutely efficient use of space, it's really good.
0:17:27 > 0:17:29There's no denying the wasted potential here over the years.
0:17:29 > 0:17:34It's a shame it's taken so long to get plans to bring this building
0:17:34 > 0:17:37back to life again, but finally it does look like that's happened.
0:17:37 > 0:17:39Things are moving, there's some great ideas here
0:17:39 > 0:17:43for three- and four-bedroom family homes, and in that way, hopefully they can
0:17:43 > 0:17:47make the best of these buildings, maintain and keep the history alive
0:17:47 > 0:17:50and create some wonderful homes for future generations.
0:17:51 > 0:17:54It's not only architects and developers
0:17:54 > 0:17:56who are turning historic sites into homes.
0:17:56 > 0:17:57Up and down the country,
0:17:57 > 0:18:00there are plenty of people who are bringing their own ideas to life.
0:18:02 > 0:18:05In West Sussex, retired couple Ray and Cathy Foster
0:18:05 > 0:18:07wanted to get back to their roots
0:18:07 > 0:18:10when they purchased this Grade II listed farmhouse
0:18:10 > 0:18:13that had sat empty for ten years.
0:18:13 > 0:18:17I was brought up on a farm, so one of the points that drew us
0:18:17 > 0:18:20to this property was the land that was attached.
0:18:20 > 0:18:23It was just the feel as we walked around.
0:18:23 > 0:18:26Although ceilings were falling down, wallpaper was falling off.
0:18:26 > 0:18:30It felt like home even when it was in that state.
0:18:30 > 0:18:33The house was in need of total renovation.
0:18:33 > 0:18:36The walls of the kitchen were in such a bad state
0:18:36 > 0:18:38that they had to be rebuilt.
0:18:38 > 0:18:41So there were tiles that had sunk,
0:18:41 > 0:18:46and leaving daylight through...meant that the roof had to come right off,
0:18:46 > 0:18:50and one particular builder we had round, he came and said,
0:18:50 > 0:18:53"Your building is dying.
0:18:53 > 0:18:55"It's dying." And...
0:18:57 > 0:19:00..we just wanted to bring it back to life.
0:19:00 > 0:19:04Working with a listed building presents its own unique challenges.
0:19:04 > 0:19:09The Grade II listings meant that we couldn't change
0:19:09 > 0:19:12any part of the old house.
0:19:12 > 0:19:16We had to stick with single-glazed windows,
0:19:16 > 0:19:19all the outside had to be kept the same,
0:19:19 > 0:19:20we had to have a lot of windows
0:19:20 > 0:19:25renovated to give the original look that the house was built.
0:19:25 > 0:19:27And like in so many old houses,
0:19:27 > 0:19:29there were hidden gems to be unearthed.
0:19:29 > 0:19:32One of the things about the history that we found
0:19:32 > 0:19:34was that there was a possibility
0:19:34 > 0:19:36that there was an inglenook fireplace.
0:19:36 > 0:19:39Now, this, when we came, was just a small opening,
0:19:39 > 0:19:44so one day I got the jemmy out and started ripping it out.
0:19:44 > 0:19:47I think that was the most exciting thing,
0:19:47 > 0:19:49to actually find this inglenook fireplace. Hm.
0:19:51 > 0:19:56After an epic renovation, this couple finally got their dream home.
0:19:56 > 0:20:00I don't think there is a room that I like best, I just love it all.
0:20:00 > 0:20:02I love the orangery, to be able to sit in there
0:20:02 > 0:20:06and look out over the fields and see the birds. Love the kitchen,
0:20:06 > 0:20:09love the breakfast room, love it all, love looking out into the garden.
0:20:09 > 0:20:10We love the snug -
0:20:10 > 0:20:13when you light the wood burner and lives up to its name,
0:20:13 > 0:20:15all nice and snug.
0:20:15 > 0:20:17So, it's a nice, cosy room.
0:20:17 > 0:20:21Ray and Cathy have created not just a home, but a real legacy.
0:20:21 > 0:20:27It's now a house that I leave for future generations.
0:20:27 > 0:20:29It's investing in the future,
0:20:29 > 0:20:32it's giving people the benefit of this property.
0:20:34 > 0:20:37Back in Wiltshire, I am with the Zamans,
0:20:37 > 0:20:39two generations who've clubbed together to buy
0:20:39 > 0:20:42an old Methodist chapel to turn into two properties.
0:20:43 > 0:20:45To help inspire them,
0:20:45 > 0:20:48I'm introducing them to a couple who've completed their own
0:20:48 > 0:20:51minor miracle, turning their old chapel into a comfortable home.
0:20:51 > 0:20:55I think you can immediately see why I brought you here.
0:20:55 > 0:21:00What do you make of that? Wow. It's amazing. That is beautiful.
0:21:00 > 0:21:02While looking for a home with real spirit,
0:21:02 > 0:21:07Sally and David Yarnton purchased their chapel at auction in 2006.
0:21:07 > 0:21:10For many years, we liked the idea of finding an old property
0:21:10 > 0:21:13that you could, you know, do something to to restore it,
0:21:13 > 0:21:16that had character, that was maybe a blank canvas,
0:21:16 > 0:21:19that was in such a state that you could really bring it back
0:21:19 > 0:21:21and get some of the life back into it.
0:21:21 > 0:21:24And, you know, this was an empty church which had so much character
0:21:24 > 0:21:27that we could add our own feel and touch to it.
0:21:27 > 0:21:31Sally took it upon herself to project manage the restoration
0:21:31 > 0:21:34and picked up some extremely useful tips along the way.
0:21:34 > 0:21:37A good piece of advice would be to find the right tradesmen.
0:21:37 > 0:21:39Particularly with an old building,
0:21:39 > 0:21:42you need to be able to work within the confines of restricted areas.
0:21:42 > 0:21:46I mean, you've got to fit a floor around some odd beam work.
0:21:46 > 0:21:49I mean, we're working in a building that's been here for years,
0:21:49 > 0:21:52you've got to be sympathetic to that and work within
0:21:52 > 0:21:54the confines of that, so you need someone that understands it.
0:21:54 > 0:21:58It's clear this chapel was a real labour of love.
0:21:58 > 0:22:00When you've put the work in yourselves,
0:22:00 > 0:22:01when you've actually designed it,
0:22:01 > 0:22:04you have a lot more connection, you put a lot more blood and sweat
0:22:04 > 0:22:07into it, you've seen it from when it was in its ruins
0:22:07 > 0:22:09and you've seen it grow and develop and it's almost like a child,
0:22:09 > 0:22:15I suppose, where you take pride in seeing the finished product.
0:22:15 > 0:22:18I love our church. I love our house.
0:22:18 > 0:22:23It's our home and we have got so much pleasure out of living here.
0:22:23 > 0:22:24Mm.
0:22:26 > 0:22:29Hello. Welcome. Sally, how are you? Very well. Can we come in?
0:22:29 > 0:22:31Come through. Thank you.
0:22:31 > 0:22:34Guys, it's breathtaking as you walk in. It's an incredible place.
0:22:34 > 0:22:36But I know it wasn't always like this,
0:22:36 > 0:22:38so just talk us through it from the start.
0:22:38 > 0:22:41Just how run-down was it and how much work have you had to do here?
0:22:41 > 0:22:46We've had an amazing amount of work. We started in October 2006 and built
0:22:46 > 0:22:49for six months, and prior to that it was about a year in planning.
0:22:49 > 0:22:52When you come into this space, what do you make of this ceiling height?
0:22:52 > 0:22:55That's what we're talking about in yours, aren't we? Having these ceilings.
0:22:55 > 0:22:58I think this is probably going to be about the same challenge
0:22:58 > 0:23:02that we have, ceiling heights. Let's talk about light.
0:23:02 > 0:23:07We have windows on two sides and then we have the church side
0:23:07 > 0:23:10on the third side, and on the fourth side, it's very dark wood.
0:23:10 > 0:23:14We're trying to come up with a solution to get light into the darker areas downstairs.
0:23:14 > 0:23:17That is an issue with churches, unfortunately,
0:23:17 > 0:23:21you do have limited light, because you're working within the probably
0:23:21 > 0:23:24Gothic windows, which I assume you have, and they're very narrow.
0:23:24 > 0:23:29So, we had old leadlight windows, which we had taken out
0:23:29 > 0:23:31and then we had double-glazed put in.
0:23:31 > 0:23:35If you can get through a wall and get an extra door in with
0:23:35 > 0:23:38lots of glass in it, that's really helpful as well.
0:23:38 > 0:23:41That's a good tip, so shifting light around within the internal structure.
0:23:41 > 0:23:44Glass in doors, even for internal doors, could be considered. Yes.
0:23:44 > 0:23:49Cutting across the windows, I see that's always the challenge.
0:23:49 > 0:23:50What was your compromise there?
0:23:50 > 0:23:54You've brought the ceiling just short of the windows.
0:23:54 > 0:23:56Explain the thinking there.
0:23:56 > 0:24:00Well, I mean, when you see where it stops, you can see that we have
0:24:00 > 0:24:03a major stained-glass window, so we didn't want to interrupt that.
0:24:03 > 0:24:05To me, it's a piece of art,
0:24:05 > 0:24:07and when you go upstairs,
0:24:07 > 0:24:09you can also see the whole of the window as well.
0:24:09 > 0:24:11So you get to be able to view that window from upstairs
0:24:11 > 0:24:14and downstairs, and also, it lets a little bit of light in,
0:24:14 > 0:24:17not as much as normal light, but at night-time,
0:24:17 > 0:24:21we have a spotlight outside so that it shines on that and
0:24:21 > 0:24:25lights it up at night, so from inside you actually get a beautiful picture.
0:24:25 > 0:24:28Oh, that's a great idea, what do you think of that?
0:24:28 > 0:24:30Fantastic. That could work.
0:24:30 > 0:24:32Great, well, let's continue our tour, shall we? Absolutely.
0:24:32 > 0:24:35Terrific. Sally, lead the way. Let's go.
0:24:36 > 0:24:39Hopefully there's some truly divine inspiration here
0:24:39 > 0:24:40for the Zaman family.
0:24:43 > 0:24:46Is this what you expected? That's amazing. This is what I want.
0:24:47 > 0:24:50Outstanding. What a fantastic space.
0:24:50 > 0:24:52So, you've made this into a living room,
0:24:52 > 0:24:55but you've also got a kind of study and a little snug bit there.
0:24:55 > 0:24:57Yes. It's an amazing area.
0:24:57 > 0:25:01We wanted to use the beams, we had them sandblasted,
0:25:01 > 0:25:04we really wanted to make this a special area.
0:25:04 > 0:25:08What do you think about the openness of it and the height of it?
0:25:08 > 0:25:12I love it. This roof lends itself to what you've achieved, Sally.
0:25:12 > 0:25:17This is how I see my woodwork, my timber, cleaned up,
0:25:17 > 0:25:18on show.
0:25:18 > 0:25:23The history of the building. Yeah. Sally, you were the project manager.
0:25:23 > 0:25:26Yes. We actually had a main builder and he had his team
0:25:26 > 0:25:31that worked with him, so we had a cabinet-maker, he had a roofer,
0:25:31 > 0:25:33someone that did all of the pointing,
0:25:33 > 0:25:35so he had his own tradesmen.
0:25:35 > 0:25:39He had to keep on track with it, cos she was also ordering all of the raw materials that they needed
0:25:39 > 0:25:41and things like the timber for flooring,
0:25:41 > 0:25:43had to make sure that was delivered in time.
0:25:43 > 0:25:45But it also had to be delivered ahead of time,
0:25:45 > 0:25:47because it had to stay in the building for a while to cure.
0:25:47 > 0:25:50That seems to be where the teamwork's going to come in,
0:25:50 > 0:25:51because even if you're not all hands on,
0:25:51 > 0:25:54all the time, someone's got to be thinking about materials
0:25:54 > 0:25:56and getting the best price and going out...
0:25:56 > 0:25:59I think this is where Sue comes in. Yes.
0:25:59 > 0:26:02Well, you're still smiling about it, that's a good sign. Yeah.
0:26:02 > 0:26:04And one thing we didn't talk about earlier...
0:26:04 > 0:26:07We talked a lot about natural light. There's other kinds of light.
0:26:07 > 0:26:09I don't know what you think of this, but looking around the room,
0:26:09 > 0:26:12there's an incredibly sort of varied
0:26:12 > 0:26:15and quite inventive approach to lighting here.
0:26:15 > 0:26:17Using the white ceiling to reflect the light, as well,
0:26:17 > 0:26:19seems like a great idea. Yeah.
0:26:19 > 0:26:23It softens things a bit, rather than having direct light down on you...
0:26:23 > 0:26:25sort of becomes very harsh.
0:26:25 > 0:26:28Whereas having it, as you say, reflecting off the ceiling
0:26:28 > 0:26:34makes it much warmer, and also having uplights highlight a lot of the work.
0:26:34 > 0:26:37Any final advice? I mean, it's a long project.
0:26:37 > 0:26:41Just, you know, how do you keep sane through these things,
0:26:41 > 0:26:43you know, how do you keep going?
0:26:43 > 0:26:46I just think, it's your home, you've bought it because you love it
0:26:46 > 0:26:51and you'll create something that you'll really appreciate in the long-term.
0:26:51 > 0:26:55You know, if you work well together and you work as a team,
0:26:55 > 0:26:57you'll have something amazing, so good luck.
0:26:58 > 0:27:00Where do we start? What do you make of that?
0:27:00 > 0:27:03I mean, it's quite a place, isn't it? Has today be helpful?
0:27:03 > 0:27:05Very helpful, yeah, yeah.
0:27:05 > 0:27:09I think I can see more what mine's going to be like when it's finished.
0:27:09 > 0:27:12What about you, Roy? I think David and Sally have done a fantastic job.
0:27:12 > 0:27:14It's been very, very useful.
0:27:14 > 0:27:19And although I had in my head what I want to achieve,
0:27:19 > 0:27:24physically seeing something like this is worth a weight in gold.
0:27:24 > 0:27:25And, Paul, how did you find it?
0:27:25 > 0:27:28It's very heartening to see the finished product
0:27:28 > 0:27:33and to know that our empty property is transitioning
0:27:33 > 0:27:35through what has now become an empty home
0:27:35 > 0:27:40and can be a very lived-in home and a very successful project.
0:27:41 > 0:27:43I'm so pleased that Roy, Sue, Paul and Laura
0:27:43 > 0:27:45could see this place today.
0:27:45 > 0:27:49There really won't be many better examples of how you can turn
0:27:49 > 0:27:54a full-on chapel into a really lovely, cosy home.
0:27:54 > 0:27:57This place is just full of inspiration.
0:27:57 > 0:27:59I know that means those four are going away brimming
0:27:59 > 0:28:03with ideas about windows, about ceiling heights, lighting designs.
0:28:03 > 0:28:05You name it, they've seen it here.
0:28:05 > 0:28:08So, it's been perfect for the stage they're at
0:28:08 > 0:28:10and I've just got a great feeling now. They're going to go forward
0:28:10 > 0:28:14and create these two wonderful homes from their very special chapel.
0:28:25 > 0:28:30Subtitles by Red Bee Media Ltd